CARTS – Canopy Adjusted Real Time Spraying

Abstract

The structural characteristics of the canopy are a key consideration for improving the efficiency of the spray application process for tree crops. However, obtaining accurate data in an easy, practical, and efficient way, and in-real-time, is an important problem to be solved. The main objective of the project CARTS is to develop a sprayer prototype and the respective algorithms in order to manage variable rate spraying in vineyards and other orchards. This prototype modifies the sprayed volume application rate according to the target geometry by using an algorithm based on the canopy volume inspired by the Tree Row Volume (TRV) model. Variations in canopy width along the row crop are electronically measured using several ultrasonic sensors placed on the sprayer and used to modify the emitted flow rate from the nozzles in real time; the objective during this process is to maintain the sprayed volume per unit canopy volume. Field trials already carried out at different crop stages in a vineyard indicated a good relationship between the applied volume and canopy characteristics. The potential pesticide savings were estimated to be at between 20% and 55% relative to the costs of a conventional application.